Could Go Either Way

But the crisp blue and white stripes of this blouse suggest that this is, de jure, a spring outfit.

Worn last week of October; that’s a true fact

Surely an association should not be construed as a restriction

But orange = fall.

You can see how this debate might go back and forth for a while.

And seasonality is not even the point of this post.

There are two lessons today.

Two lessons! You may want to take notes

Patience, my pet

Lesson No. 1: Good things come to those who wait.

This Vanessa Bruno blouse is from SS2015. I saw it on Matches then and loved it, but felt that it was too expensive to buy full-price. The blouse sold out before it was marked down significantly.

But remember: It’s not over until it’s over. The blouse popped up on YOOX in early October this year. Only one, in my size. At 1/3rd of the original price. It was a bargain and a miracle.

So many things to notice: stripes on the diagonal, mandarin collar, graceful gathering that defines the waist.

You may also notice that I failed to straighten the sleeves after taking off my jacket. The Photographer . . . He is an artist, but his media are light and color. He does not notice clothes askew.

I still need an intern

Come closer for a better look at the my square knot. It’s only purpose is visual interest, but it fulfills that mission well.

Note: I am wearing a pale pink camisole under the blouse because I can’t seem to knot these pointless — I mean, visually interesting — ties without creating a little gap. If I had been Vanessa Bruno’s fit model, we would have sorted this out in the workroom.

Visual interest is legitimate service

Lesson No. 2: A distinctive blouse with a pair of old khakis and smart flats is a chic outfit. Isn’t that good to know?

I don’t usually include pictures of outerwear, but I am making an exception for this jacket, which is probably about 10 years old.

I found it an Anthropologie and was attracted to its neat collar and beautiful horn buttons. I had mixed feelings about the puffed sleeves, but after a decade to mull it over, I think they’re fine.

Charmant, I say

Hopefully I will never lose one of these buttons.

Buttons look good enough to eat; I understand why babies are often tempted

Flasher!

As great as these details are, the best part of this jacket is its lining.

THAT LINING! I’m a big fan of complementary colors in dressing; they seem unusual and yet work so well on the eye. And you look lovely. Perfectly fall. Still though, there’s never anything wrong with a fall “impatient de paris au printemps” outfit 😉

I loved a lining in one jacket in particular so much so that I would purposefully expose it on the back of my chair – carelessly shucking off the jacket just to show the lining! Splaying it over my arm when I would carry it! I love me a great lining.